Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metres

Last updated

Contents

Men's 200 metres
at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad
Bolt conquista tricampeonato tambem nos 200 metros 1038880-18.08.2016 ffz-8105.jpg
Usain Bolt and LaShawn Merritt at finish
Venue Estádio Olímpico João Havelange
Dates16 August 2016
(quarterfinals)
17 August 2016
(semifinals)
18 August 2016
(final)
Competitors77 from 48 nations
Winning time19.78
Medalists
Gold medal icon.svg Usain Bolt
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica
Silver medal icon.svg Andre De Grasse
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Bronze medal icon.svg Christophe Lemaitre
Flag of France.svg  France
  2012
2020  
Official Video Highlights TV-icon-2.svg
Official Video Highlights

The men's 200 metres event at the 2016 Summer Olympics took place between 16–18 August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange. [1] There were 77 competitors from 48 nations. [2] The event was won by Usain Bolt of Jamaica, his third consecutive gold medal in the event. Bolt earned his eighth overall gold, needing only the 4x100 metres relay the next day to complete the sprint triple-triple. It was Jamaica's fourth victory in the event, second-most among nations. Andre De Grasse earned Canada's first medal in the event since 1928 with his silver; Christophe Lemaitre's bronze was France's first since 1960. The United States missed the podium for only the fifth time in the history of the men's 200 metres; it was the first time that it had done so in consecutive Games.

Background

Bolt kisses the finish line after winning Bolt conquista tricampeonato tambem nos 200 metros 1038883-18.08.2016 ffz-8239.jpg
Bolt kisses the finish line after winning
Bolt performing his famous "lightning bolt" Bolt conquista tricampeonato tambem nos 200 metros 1038875-18.08.2016 ffz-0001.jpg
Bolt performing his famous "lightning bolt"

This was the 27th appearance of the event, which was not held at the first Olympics in 1896 but has been on the program ever since. Five of the eight finalists from the 2012 Games returned: two-time gold medalist Usain Bolt of Jamaica, silver medalist Yohan Blake of Jamaica, fifth-place finisher Churandy Martina of the Netherlands (who had finished second in 2008 before being disqualified for a lane violation), sixth-place finisher Christophe Lemaitre of France, and eighth-place finisher Anaso Jobodwana of South Africa. [2]

After winning the 100 metres, 2012 Olympic champion and 2015 World Champion Bolt sought to become the first man to win three consecutive Olympic 200 metres titles (no other man had won even two), en route to the "Triple-Triple"; 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay gold medals at 3 consecutive Olympic Games. However, injuries in the early season prevented him from running any 200 metres races before the Jamaican Trials, where he pulled from the event due to an injury. Bolt filed a medical exemption and qualified for the Olympics by running 19.89 seconds in London, ranking him 5th in the year. Though unbeaten in the event since 2012, Bolt faced major opposition from a strong trio of Americans in LaShawn Merritt, Justin Gatlin, and Ameer Webb. [3] Merritt, the 2008 Olympic Champion in the 400 metres, posted the 19.74 second world lead in the semifinals of the American Trials, while Gatlin, Bolt's main rival for the past 3 years, beat him in the final with the second fastest time of the year at 19.75 seconds. Webb clocked 19.85 seconds in Doha and won in Rome as well.

Bolt's training partners Blake and Miguel Francis of Antigua and Barbuda were entered, with Francis being ranked 4th at 19.88 seconds. Defending silver medalist Blake, the second fastest man in history and the only man to beat Bolt in the 200 metres since his world record, failed to go under 20 seconds in the season, still on the comeback from near-career ending injuries from 2013-2015. In Bolt's absence, he won the Jamaican Trials in a modest 20.29 seconds. Nickel Ashmeade rounded out the Jamaican trio while defending bronze medalist Warren Weir failed to make the team. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake clocked a personal best of 19.95 seconds earlier in the season; Adam Gemili and Daniel Talbot filled out the British team. Brendon Rodney was the last one under 20 seconds in the season, leading Aaron Brown and Pan-American champion Andre De Grasse on the Canadian team. Others included in the conversation were Diamond League champion Alonso Edward of Panama, European Champion Bruno Hortelano of Spain, and 2012 European Champion Martina. [4] [5]

Summary

De Grasse, fresh off his bronze in the 100 metres, led the quarterfinals with a very relaxed 20.09, throwing his hat into the ring as a potential challenger. Bolt eased to 20.28 seconds, while a sluggish Gatlin clocked 20.42 seconds. Surprise winners included Salem Eid Yaqoob, Jose Carlos Herrera, and Nery Brenes, while notable eliminations included Rodney, Asian record holder Femi Ogunode, and reigning world championship bronze medalist Anaso Jobodwana.

In the semifinal round, Merritt cruised to a sub-20 win in the first. 2011 bronze medalist Christophe Lemaitre finished second with his fastest time in 4 years. In the second semifinal, Bolt was prepared to cruise to victory until De Grasse suddenly rushed to Bolt's shoulder. The two friends laughed with each other to the line, with Bolt clocking a season's best 19.78 seconds and De Grasse breaking his Canadian record with 19.80 seconds. As Bud Winter, the sprint coach who influenced Glen Mills, Bolt's coach, would say; "Relax and win." [6] Webb meanwhile, was left behind in 6th. Drama unfolded in the third semifinal, with both major contenders Gatlin and Blake failing to qualify. Instead, Alonso Edward led the way with Churandy Martina making a late rush for the second spot. Gatlin maintained a lead up until the homestretch, while Blake never got close to contention and finished a surprising 6th.

The final was held following a light rainstorm that affected the women's javelin throw. The track was still wet and conditions cooler. Still the stadium was electric to see lightning, the star Usain Bolt in what was expected to be his last individual race in the Olympics. Bolt was in lane 6, playing to the camera and to the crowd before the race. Lemaitre and Martina were to his outside, while Merritt and De Grasse, now in major contention, to his inside. Bolt got a good start and quickly made up the stagger on Lemaitre then Martina halfway through the turn. He led by a meter by the time they came into the homestretch, and after extending it to 2.5 metres, there was no challenge and Bolt was home free from a wall of chasers. [7] Behind him, De Grasse started to pull away from the pack, Merritt started to lag, and Gemili and Martina were in contention for the bronze, with Lemaitre beginning to make a late charge. Bolt, however, was clear and away, gritting his teeth hard in an attempt to close on his world record. He hit the line in 19.78 seconds, equaling his time from the semifinals, visibly disappointed. Still though, the crowd lit up in excitement to see Bolt make history once again. Meanwhile, De Grasse cruised to the silver while Gemili, Lemaitre, and Martina all hit the line together in a dead heat for the bronze medal.

Bolt made his goal of being the first man in history to win 3 consecutive Olympic golds in the 200 metres. He also completed the "Triple-Double" with his 100 metres golds as well, and was now one race away from completing the historic "Triple-Triple". As Bolt celebrated, the crowd lit up as Lemaitre was revealed to be the bronze medalist, pipping Gemili by 3 thousandths and Martina by another 3. A heartbroken Gemili laid on the track in tears, then joined his fellow European athletes. The final was one of the slowest in nearly 2 decades, likely due to the rainy conditions. [8] Every athlete other than Bolt was nearly a tenth slower than they were in the semifinals, and only Bolt went under 20 seconds.

After the race, Bolt celebrated his last individual victory, kissing the finish line and striking the lightning bolt pose.

In the victory ceremony, the medals for the competition were presented by Sir Philip Craven, Great Britain, member of the International Olympic Committee and president of the International Paralympic Committee, and the gifts were presented by Adille Sumariwalla, Council Member of the IAAF.

Qualification

A National Olympic Committee (NOC) could enter up to 3 qualified athletes in the men's 200 metres event if all athletes meet the entry standard during the qualifying period. (The limit of 3 has been in place since the 1930 Olympic Congress.) The qualifying standard was 20.50 seconds. The qualifying period was from 1 May 2015 to 11 July 2016. The qualifying time standards could be obtained in various meets during the given period that have the approval of the IAAF. Only outdoor meets were eligible for the sprints and short hurdles, including the 200 metres. NOCs could also use their universality place—each NOC could enter one male athlete regardless of time if they had no male athletes meeting the entry standard for an athletics event—in the 200 metres. [9] [10]

Competition format

The competition featured three rounds: a quarterfinals stage with ten races, three semifinal races, and a single final. Each race featured eight athletes. The top two from each quarterfinal and the next four fastest overall progressed to the semifinals. The top two finishers in each of the three semifinals reach the final, alongside the next two fastest overall.

Records

Prior to this competition, the existing global and area records were as follows:

Global records before the 2016 Summer Olympics
RecordAthlete (Nation)Time (s)LocationDate
World record Flag of Jamaica.svg  Usain Bolt  (JAM)19.19 Berlin, Germany20 August 2009
Olympic record Flag of Jamaica.svg  Usain Bolt  (JAM)19.30 Beijing, China20 August 2008
World leadingFlag of the United States.svg  LaShawn Merritt  (USA)19.74 [11] Eugene, Oregon, United States8 July 2016
Area records before the 2016 Summer Olympics
AreaTime (s)WindAthleteNation
Africa ( records )19.68+0.4 Frank Fredericks Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia
Asia ( records )19.97−0.4 Femi Ogunode Flag of Qatar.svg Qatar
Europe ( records )19.72+1.8 Pietro Mennea Flag of Italy.svg Italy
North, Central America
and Caribbean
( records )
19.19 WR −0.3 Usain Bolt Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaica
Oceania ( records )20.06+0.9 Peter Norman Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
South America ( records )19.81−0.3 Alonso Edward Flag of Panama.svg Panama

The following national records were established during the competition:

NationAthleteRoundTimeNotes
Spain Bruno Hortelano Heats20.12
Bahrain Salem Eid Yaqoob Heats20.19
Liberia Emmanuel Matadi Heats20.49
Swaziland Sibusiso Matsenjwa Heats20.63
Costa Rica Nery Brenes Semifinals20.20
Canada Andre de Grasse Semifinals19.80

Schedule

All times are Brasilia Time (UTC-3)

DateTimeRound
Tuesday, 16 August 201611:50Quarterfinals
Wednesday, 17 August 201622:00Semifinals
Thursday, 18 August 201622:30Final

Results

Quarterfinals

Qualification rules: First 2 in each heat (Q) and the next 4 fastest (q) advance to the semifinals.

Quarterfinal 1

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
16 Alonso Edward Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 0.13720.19 Q
22 Daniel Talbot Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0.14320.27 Q, PB
38 Lykourgos-Stefanos Tsakonas Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 0.16120.31 q, SB
47 Femi Ogunode Flag of Qatar (3-2).svg  Qatar 0.16720.36
53 Jeremy Dodson Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 0.14420.51
64 Jak Ali Harvey Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 0.13920.58 SB
75 Mosito Lehata Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 0.16220.65 SB
1 Demetrius Pinder Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas DQ R 162.7
Wind: +0.7 m/s

Quarterfinal 2

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
18 Bruno Hortelano Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 0.16120.12 Q, NR
26 Yohan Blake Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 0.16620.13 Q, SB
34 Ameer Webb Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0.15720.31 q
43 Anaso Jobodwana Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 0.17520.53
57 Robin Erewa Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 0.19720.61
62 Emmanuel Dasor Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 0.16420.65
75 Shavez Hart Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 0.15120.74 SB
81 Bernardo Baloyes Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 0.20020.78
Wind: −0.2 m/s

Quarterfinal 3

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
15 Salem Eid Yaqoob Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 0.16720.19 Q, NR
26 Ramil Guliyev Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 0.14820.23 Q, SB
32 Aaron Brown Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0.12720.23 q
43 Shōta Iizuka Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 0.16320.49
58 Emmanuel Matadi Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia 0.21920.49 NR
64 Sibusiso Matsenjwa Flag of Swaziland.svg  Swaziland 0.19620.63 NR
77 Levi Cadogan Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados 0.18621.02
81 Tega Odele Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 0.13021.25
Wind: +0.3 m/s

Quarterfinal 4

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
13 José Carlos Herrera Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 0.14320.29 Q
28 Roberto Skyers Flag of Cuba (3-2).svg  Cuba 0.14920.44 Q
36 Jorge Vides Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 0.17620.50
44 Tlotliso Leotlela Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 0.16120.59
51 Eseosa Desalu Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 0.13020.65
67 Teray Smith Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 0.17520.66
72 Didier Kiki Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 0.15222.27
5 Miguel Francis Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg  Antigua and Barbuda DNS
Wind: 0.0 m/s

Quarterfinal 5

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
14 Justin Gatlin Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0.15420.42 Q
26 Matteo Galvan Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 0.17120.58 Q
35 Ramon Gittens Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados 0.14420.58
42 Serhiy Smelyk Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 0.18220.66
57 Aleixo-Platini Menga Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 0.13620.80
68 Kenji Fujimitsu Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 0.15920.86
73 Yancarlos Martínez Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 0.13220.97
Wind: –1.5 m/s

Quarterfinal 6

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
15 Nickel Ashmeade Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 0.12420.15 Q
22 Adam Gemili Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0.15320.20 Q
38 Clarence Munyai Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 0.14820.66
44 Burkheart Ellis Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados 0.18620.74
51 Alex Hartmann Flag of Australia.svg  Australia 0.16921.02
67 Tatenda Tsumba Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 0.15921.04
76 Rolando Palacios Flag of Honduras (before 2022).svg  Honduras 0.18721.32
83 Theo Piniau Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 0.17522.14
Wind: +0.4 m/s

Quarterfinal 7

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
18 Nery Brenes Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 0.17820.20 Q, NR
23 Churandy Martina Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0.15020.29 Q
34 Brendon Rodney Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0.16920.34
46 Davide Manenti Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 0.14520.51
57 Adama Jammeh Flag of The Gambia.svg  The Gambia 0.18220.55
65 Harold Houston Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda 0.11720.85
71 Fabrice Dabla Flag of Togo.svg  Togo 0.15621.63
2 Mike Nyang'au Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya DNS
Wind: +0.2 m/s

Quarterfinal 8

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
13 LaShawn Merritt Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0.16220.15 Q
22 Christophe Lemaitre Flag of France.svg  France 0.17120.28 Q
34 Julian Reus Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 0.13820.39 SB
47 Reynier Mena Flag of Cuba (3-2).svg  Cuba 0.12320.42
58 Karol Zalewski Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 0.15120.54
66 Bruno de Barros Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 0.15420.59
75 Ihor Bodrov Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 0.18020.86
81 Carvin Nkanata Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 0.21321.43
Wind: +0.4 m/s

Quarterfinal 9

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
15 Usain Bolt Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 0.17720.28 Q
28 Ejowvokoghene Oduduru Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 0.14120.34 Q, PB
33 Solomon Bockarie Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0.13620.42 SB
47 Kyle Greaux Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 0.14720.61 SB
54 Jonathan Borlée Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 0.16220.64
62 Kei Takase Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 0.15320.71
71 Ahmed Ali Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 0.15320.78
6 Jaysuma Saidy Ndure Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 0.150
Wind: +0.6 m/s

Quarterfinal 10

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
15 Andre De Grasse Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0.13720.09 Q, SB
21 Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0.14620.24 Q
37 Rondel Sorrillo Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 0.12420.27 q, SB
48 Hua Wilfried Koffi Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 0.15920.48 SB
56 Antoine Adams Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis 0.14120.49
63 Stanly del Carmen Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 0.13320.55
72 Aldemir da Silva Júnior Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 0.14420.80
84 Brandon Jones Flag of Belize (1981-2019).svg  Belize 0.16021.49 SB
Wind: +1.0 m/s

Semifinals

Qualification rules: First 2 in each heat (Q) and the next 2 fastest (q) advance to the final.

Semifinal 1

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
16 LaShawn Merritt Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0.16619.94 Q
28 Christophe Lemaitre Flag of France.svg  France 0.12520.01 Q, SB
37 Daniel Talbot Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0.15320.25 PB
44 Nickel Ashmeade Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 0.13420.31
51 Rondel Sorrillo Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 0.13220.33
63 Nery Brenes Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 0.16520.33
72 Aaron Brown Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0.17320.37
85 José Carlos Herrera Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 0.15020.48
Wind: −0.4 m/s

Semifinal 2

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
14 Usain Bolt Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 0.15619.78 Q, SB
25 Andre De Grasse Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0.13019.80 Q, NR
36 Adam Gemili Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0.14220.08 q
48 Ramil Guliyev Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 0.15720.09 q, SB
52 Ameer Webb Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0.19220.43
53 Salem Eid Yaqoob Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 0.14320.43
77 Ejowvokoghene Oduduru Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 0.14720.59
81 Roberto Skyers Flag of Cuba (3-2).svg  Cuba 0.15620.60
Wind: −0.3 m/s

Semifinal 3

RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
15 Alonso Edward Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 0.14020.07 Q
28 Churandy Martina Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0.14720.10 Q, SB
32 Justin Gatlin Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0.13720.13
44 Bruno Hortelano Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 0.14220.16
57 Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0.19620.25
66 Yohan Blake Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 0.15120.37
71 Lykourgos-Stefanos Tsakonas Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 0.15920.63
83 Matteo Galvan Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 0.14920.88
Wind: −0.2 m/s

Final

Mid- straightaway, 200 metres final Bolt conquista tricampeonato tambem nos 200 metros 1038876-18.08.2016 ffz-8057.jpg
Mid- straightaway, 200 metres final
RankLaneAthleteNationReactionTimeNotes
Gold medal icon.svg6 Usain Bolt Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 0.15619.78 SB
Silver medal icon.svg4 Andre De Grasse Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0.14120.02
Bronze medal icon.svg7 Christophe Lemaitre Flag of France.svg  France 0.15320.12.116
42 Adam Gemili Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0.17820.12.119
58 Churandy Martina Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0.14820.13.122 [12]
65 LaShawn Merritt Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0.18920.19
73 Alonso Edward Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 0.16220.23
81 Ramil Guliyev Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 0.14120.43
Wind: −0.5 m/s

References

  1. "Men's 200m". Rio 2016 Organisation. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 "200 metres, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  3. "200 Metres - men - senior - outdoor - 2016".
  4. Landells, Steve (2016-08-10). Preview: men's 200m – Rio 2016 Olympic Games. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-08-14.
  5. Senior outdoor 2016 200 Metres men. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-08-14.
  6. "Blog Archives". Locomotivation.
  7. "Rio Olympics 2016: Usain Bolt wins 200m gold, his eighth Olympic gold". BBC Sport. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  8. "Usain Bolt's dominant victory in Rio 200m final makes it eight Olympic gold". Guardian. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  9. "IAAF approves entry standards for Rio 2016 Olympic Games". Athletics Weekly . Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  10. "Qualification System – Games of the XXXI Olympiad – Athletics". IAAF . Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  11. "Season Top Lists – Senior 2016 – 200 Metres men", World Athletics , 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  12. "Christophe Lemaitre and Adam Gemili in photo finish for bronze medal in Rio Olympics' 200m". 19 August 2016.